You Never Know

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"Good night!" she said. She somehow made her way to her room. When she got inside, she felt her head run a sleepish mess. She leaned back and forth with every step. She was used to drinking a large amount of alcohol while keeping sober, but this sleepy feeling dragged her far past her limits. She felt sick, swaying back and forth, shuffling in a listless motion. When she neared her bed, she collapsed upon it. She dropped into a relaxed slumber moving into a deep and vivid sleep cycle.

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During Nami's sleep

She heard the gradual creek of boards under her feet. The far off sunset above the waves told the time. Cool wind glided past her, causing a shiver to run up her spine at the sensation. She took a deep breath inhaling the salty sea air. She walked without direction until she got to a wooden railing. She peered over the side, only to find the dark blue ocean below. The waves swayed the vessel back and forth. She continued to walk around until she found some staircases going downwards. Soon enough she found herself in the middle of the ship. Seeing the mast, she got curious as to how big it was. Her eyes continued to trail the piece of architecture; the sails were bunched up, and the ropes supporting it followed the whims of the wind. The ship must be docked she figured. She almost lead her eyes away from the mast until she found something that made her gasp.

I'm on a pirate ship … this can't be good, she thought. Nami continued to wonder about, until she got curious as to where they had docked. When she saw the other railing her eyes widened as she took in a sharp breath. "We are in the middle of the ocean! How is this even possible?" she questioned. With her limited knowledge of ships, she walked around until she realized that the anchor was gone. So we are docked … in the middle of the ocean, she concluded. Just then she heard a voice that made her jump.

"Stop screwing around! Food is almost ready shit heads! Nami-swan! Robin-chan! Your food is ready!"

She paused, standing there shocked, How do they know my name? She glanced around, noticing the small group of pirates entering the dining room. If I hide they will find me. But if I go, I don't know what will happen, she thought.

Weighing her options, she decided to hide. She crept her way into the nearest room. She peered inside finding it somewhat out of place compared to the rest of the vessel. Two soft plush beds occupied the room. Next to one of the beds lay a treasure chest and a navigating desk. Curious she walked over to the work bench. When she walked towards it she gasped aloud at what she found.

The table had slanted wood, revealing pieces of paper with handwritten pictures of foreign islands all over them. She remembered as a child she always loved to draw places, imagining that one day she would be able to visit them. She continued to scan the varying papers until she stopped herself. Nami picked up what had caught her attention.

''Bell-mère'' she said. She tried to stop herself from crying. When she got herself to calm down she placed the picture down to study the rest of the room. The treasure chest became her next target. She gazed over the wooden chest for some time, examining the rusted metal that formed the frame. She then strolled back to the desk. Looking through it she found what she wanted. She hurried back to the chest placing the key inside. I am on a pirate ship right? It must be something good! she reasoned. She twisted the key with impatient force, propping the top open.

Her eyes grew twice in size. ''I am rich!'' she cheered. She didn't even bother suppressing her voice as she dug through the treasure trove. Diamonds, silver, emeralds, and rubies. Though what she loved the most couldn't be more abundant: gold. Her poor upbringing had led to her to chase this thing her whole young life. With this I can buy a mansion! An expensive car! Everything! she concluded. Tossing the gold in the air, she watched the precious pieces rise and fall with their shiny glint dispersing light. Nami didn't even notice the door open and close.

"Nami …" someone said. She paused turning towards the sound that brought her out of heaven. There standing in front of the door was none other than the homeless man.

"You?" She looked at him in confusion, "What the hell are you doing on this ship?"

He looked over her with a quirked brow. "Are you alright, Nami?"

How does he know my name? I never told him this she thought. "I am alright," she replied, placing a protective hand on the treasure

"Good," he said. "Does that mean you are good to go?" he laughed.

"What are you talking ab―?"

"It's captain's orders," he interrupted. Without warning, he dashed at her grabbing both of her arms, and tossing her on the bed. Before she could get up and run, he got on top of her, kissing and groping her without compassion. The brim of his hat hid the darkness of his eyes as continued to force himself onto her.

She somehow found the strength to push him off her. "What the hell are you doing!" she yelled. Adrenaline throbbed in her head. She kept glanced between him and the door.

"What do you think I am doing?" His smile turned into a deep frown. He seized her hands, raising them above her head to the bedpost. "Don't resist …" he whispered as he kissed her neck, "you never do." His anger turned into a mocking smile.

What is happening? Didn't this almost happen to me yesterday? she figured. His barbaric deed brought her foggy vision, Yesterday … I am dreaming … I am dreaming. Her sight soon turned to darkness.

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She woke up breathing hard. She placed a hand on her forehead, confirming that she had a raging fever. She moved her soft hand over to her body, finding it covered in perspiration. She threw her unbalanced feet onto the ground, as her head started to move in circles again. When she rose to her feet, and walked out the room she felt her symptoms worsen. She stepped over the countless pieces of paper, ending her weary journey with sound asleep homeless man. She gazed at him with a worried frown.

It was only just a dream, she reasoned. Still drowsy and feeling nauseous, she went over to her kitchen pouring herself a cup of water. When she finished, she made her way back over to her room. Her head felt a little better. She once again collapsed on top of her bed without protest.

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Nami felt a familiar breeze rush through her copper hair. She took in a deep breath, taking in the soothing air and exhaling in rhythm with the wind. She gazed up at the sky, finding a full moon illuminating the dark night. She turned back around, only to be in complete shock. She was on the same ship from before. She walked over to the railings to find that they were once again in the middle of the ocean. She felt like she was gliding down the same path she had traveled before. She gazed up at the mast with absent interest. She once again made her way over to the railing, finding that the ship had docked in the middle of the ocean. She followed the same path, finding the chains of the anchor in the water. That's when she heard it again.

"Stop screwing around! Food is almost ready shitheads! Nami-swan! Robin-chan! Your food is ready!"

She weighed out her options, but choose to hide again. She found herself in what appeared to be the men's room. Hearing steps behind her she glanced around, finding some lockers along one of the walls. She ran to the nearest one, closing it behind her. She tried to calm her breathing but then it got ragged again. Peering through the door was the homeless man.

"Nami," he said, "I know you are in here." He smirked as he let out a dark chuckle. "Nami when will you learn that you can't hide from me." Shaking his head now, he started to gaze around as he spoke. "I have observation haki," he said. "How many times do I need to explain this?" he asked. "If you try to run, I will find you, and I will kill you." Just as her breathing had calmed down, she heard the locker next to her smash into pieces.

She started breathing harder. "Nami, how can you be so dumb?" he taunted. As she felt anger boil up, she got scared again. The other locker on the other side of her smashed into pieces. "Sanji's locker, huh?" he said. Glaring into the slits of the locker, he peered inside to find the terrified girl. As their eyes met the door to the locker got torn away. He started fidgeting as his fist shook without control. "Have you been sleeping with him too?" He yanked a hold of her shoulders, dragging her out. "Are you telling me you are a whore now?" his hat revealing his bloodshot eyes.

"I … don't know who Sanji is," she muttered between her heavy breaths and tears.

"Shut the hell up! You are sleeping with him!" He raised a heavy hand, slapping her hard across the face. He then threw her onto the wooden floor below. "I told you!" he yelled. Stomping away from her, he began ripping out clumps of his black hair. "Not only do I have to kill you, but now Sanji ..." he shook his head in a crazed manor.

"I … don―"

"I have heard enough from you!" he screamed as he brought his fist back.

Who is Sanji? I never met a Sanji before … that means I am dreaming, she realized. Just as the fist was about to hit her face, her vision went black.

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She woke up breathing harder than last time. This time her eyes shot open, rushing to her feet soon after. With tired and groggy eyes she fought her way back into the living room to find the homeless man sleeping in bundled peace.

It's … just a dream … it's just a dream, she thought in between heavy breaths. Finding it strange and ludicrous to blame the man for doing nothing, she made her way back to bed. She glanced at her clock to find that it was well into the morning. I will wake up early enough, she concluded. She plopped into bed, figuring that she would stop having nightmares. She didn't.

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She would wake up in a start. She would begin rolling around in her labored sweat, breathing as if her life had been torn apart. Her fever didn't get any better, in fact it had only gotten much worse. Everytime she would wake up, she ran into the living room, each time becoming more distrustful.

After several convulsive nightmares in a row she couldn't take it anymore. She ran into the living room glaring at him as though he had murdered somebody.

"Get the hell out of here!" she screamed, tears forming in her eyes.

Luffy blinked his eyes open, squinting at the loud noise. He sat up, trying to make sense of her hateful stare.

"Just get the hell out of here!" she yelled, as more tears rolled down her face.

He nodded his head, it wasn't the first time somebody didn't want him. Getting up he lowered the straw hat down his face. Just as he grabbed the knob she screamed at him, "Wait!" More tears rolled down her hazel eyes.

"I am sorry ... It's just that something happened." She paused as she glanced away, "You can continue to sleep, but please leave when you are done." Her attempt of an apology, turned out to be a solemn order. He made his way over to the coach, the whole time studying her. He knew better than to ask her what was wrong, so he just sighed. With most people it always has to do something with him.

Embarrassed by her actions and his hurt stare, she ran back to her room, plopping onto the bed exhausted by everything that happened throughout the night.

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In Nami's Dream

She found herself standing on the vessel she knew by heart now. She wondered if the dream was worth continuing, knowing full well what would happen. Though she felt her body walking on it's own, going through the same motions she knew blindfolded. When she finished looking at the mast, the ocean, and the absent anchor, she heard the familiar line that kept on repeating in her mind like a broken record.

"Stop screwing around! Food is almost ready shitheads! Nami-swan! Robin-chan! Your food is ready!"

I wonder ... she pondered. She always hid, but this time she decided to be brave. She would face her nightmare head on. She pushed open the door to the dining room. A bright yellow light blinding her.

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She blinked open her eyes, staring at the white ceiling above her. She moved her hand to her forehead with some uncertainty. Though she found that her fever had ceased. She moved her hands across her body, finding no sweat either. In fact she felt warm and comfortable in her bed. She smiled and laughed aloud, at the memory of her odd dream. She sighed aloud. Just in that small dream she had a wonderful time with her friends, or what her captain called "nakama".

She got out of bed with a clear head, feeling quite refreshed. She made her way out of her room, rubbing the sleep out of her once exhausted eyes. When she opened her eyes again, they immediately shot open. A hand covered her quivering mouth.

The room was spotless. Everything had been cleaned up, the room was how it was before she moved in, save for some bins stacked in a corner. Puzzled, her eyes drew towards the green couch, only to find it vacant. She felt a tug at her heart, at the thought of being so cruel to him. She walked over to the coach all the while happy that she didn't need to step over anything. Looking to see if he had forgotten anything, she noticed a letter on her table.

She flipped over the small letter, to find that it said "Thank You." Though just as she had raised the paper she glanced down, noticing a small amount of money laid out on the counter. She didn't know where it came from, so she turned her attention back to the note. She opened it to find a folded up piece of paper inside. She unraveled it, and began reading it:

I am sorry for everything I have done. You have shown me nothing but kindness, yet all I do is hurt you. All I do is cause you trouble.

I don't know the pain you are going through, but I know I overstepped my welcome. I don't want to make you cry, because every time you cry, it hurts me. I don't want you to worry about me anymore, so I guess this is the last you will hear of me.

Goodbye and thank you.

- Luffy

She felt tears come to her eyes. She broke out into a full blown sob when she looked at the money again. That was everything he had! she realized. With her blurry eyes she scanned the room, taking in everything. Not only was it cleaned but it was spotless. It looks brand new, she thought as she cried more at the thought. Without even thinking about, she dashed out her room into the hallway. She bumped past impatient people, making the quick decision to go down the stairs instead. When she made it to the ground floor she sprinted out of the lobby into the piercing cold night.

"Luffy!" she screamed.

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AN: What do you think about Luffy's thank you letter? Simple and sweet?